This Jewish Apple Cake is a MUST for your fall baking list. It’s a dense, moist cake that’s loaded with cinnamon sugar-coated apples that make for the perfect fall dessert! And the recipe is super easy too!
Where are all my apple-picking friends??
‘Tis the season to grab your basket, get picking and get your bake on folks.
Of course, I hope you try all the desserts here at the BHK, but if there is one dessert you absolutely should not miss this fall, it’s this Jewish Apple Cake.
The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe Ever
I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t like to say anything I whip up in my little kitchen is the BEST ever. Too much pressure.
But guess what folks? I’m going there. This cake is the BEST EVER!
So who’s already familiar with this tasty little cake?
If it’s new to you, here’s a little info about it.
What is a Jewish Apple Cake?
The Jewish Apple Cake originated in Poland. It’s a very popular cake in Pennsylvania.
In fact, it’s a cake that is often served in Jewish cooking especially during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
And it’s traditionally made without dairy products.
Jewish Apple Cake Ingredients
- gala apples
- granulated sugar
- cinnamon
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- vegetable oil
- orange juice
- vanilla
- eggs
I had my first taste of this cake years back when our good neighbor Jane shared it with us.
I was hooked ever since and there’s not a fall that goes by that I don’t make it.
Jane made her’s in a loaf pan. I make mine in a tube pan. I use this tube pan.
This cozy fall cake is dense and moist and loaded with apples coated in cinnamon sugar.
It’s honestly perfect for dessert or dare I say maybe even breakfast with a cup of tea?
I really hope you guys add this one to your baking list this fall. I just know you’d really love it. Enjoy!
A few other fall favorite desserts here at the BHK are my Apple Pie Spice Drop Cookies, my Cinnamon Sugared Pumpkin Fritters and my Chai Spiced Pund Cake with Brown Butter Glaze.
A Few Cook’s Notes
I used a tube pan for this recipe, but you could also use a plain bundt pan, like the Nordic Ware Anniversary pan. I would not use a bundt pan with an intricate pattern.
Make sure to coat your tube pan generously with nonstick cooking spray with flour for easy removal.
More Delicious Fall Desserts to Enjoy
Applesauce Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting
Mini Pumpkin Praline Upside Down Cakes
This Jewish Apple Cake is a MUST for your fall baking list. It's a dense, moist cake that's loaded with cinnamon sugar-coated apples that make for the perfect fall dessert! And the recipe is super easy too!
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 4 1/2 cups Gala apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray a tube pan with nontick cooking spray with flour. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup granulated sugar and two teaspoons cinnamon. Add the apple chunks and toss until well coated. Set aside.
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In another large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, vegetable oil, orange juice and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture until just combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition.
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Add a quarter of the batter in the prepared tube pan. Add a third of the apple chunks. Repeat two more times and then ending with the last quarter of the batter. Bake for 1-1 hour 15 minutes, or until pick inserted in center of the cake comes out clean. Mine was done in 1 hour exactly. Remove cake from oven to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. When cake is cool, remove from tube pan to a serving plate.
- I used a tube pan for this recipe, but you could also use a plain bundt pan, like the Nordic Ware Anniversary pan. I would not use a bundt pan with an intricate pattern.
- Make sure to coat your tube pan generously with nonstick cooking spray with flour for easy removal.
I love apple cakes, this one will make people happy at home. Thank you for all your delicious recipes !!!
Thanks to your site, I have improved my way of cooking a lot, they are all delighted. Many thanks
There’s just something special about a fall apple cake! So happy you enjoy them too. And thank you so much for following the blog. So happy you enjoy it!!
Such a lovely cake, Mary Ann! Love how loaded with apples it is. I bet this smells as good as it tastes! Pinned :)
t really does Dawn! Such a special fall treat!
One of my favorite cakes. Caution: May be addicting. 😁
That’s great to hear Carla! I love this one too and YES addictive for sure!
Could I use up some McIntosh apples or would they be too soft? Thanks for your delicious recipes….:)
Hi Lise. I’m not sure the McIntosh apples would stand up to the heat as well. I’d opt for Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji or Honeycrisp.
This recipe is an absolute MUST for Thanksgiving/Christmas for me. My mom made the recipe for many many years. I think she got it from a magazine. To answer your question about Macs – they work perfect. Thats what she always used. In fact I live in the Pacific Northwest now (we are from the northeast) and mcintosh are quite difficult to find here – and there is a short window in late October/early November to find them. So I always scoop them up when I find them for this recipe. I’ve tried other apples but none of them taste “like Mom made it”
Hope you give the recipe a try Steven! My family and friends LOVE this cake!
What a lovely cake! I never tire of baking with apples, but they are especially nice this time of year. Love the smell of it baking to fill the house :)
I love apple picking season Jennifer! So many options!
This looks delicious and is on my list to make! Right now I’m into everything with apples. I can’t wait to make!
I’ve been all about the apples lately, Mary Ann! This got me so excited. I will have to make it soon, while all of the delicious apples are in season!! :)
I know most people are crazy for pumpkin, but for me fall is all about the apples! I absolutely LOVE them!! And, this cake is just screaming my name!!! I can’t wait to make this… and I’m probably going to bathe it in salted caramel, because I have a small obsession with apples and caramel. :) YUMMY!!! Pinned!
I love that the apples are coated! Like you – I’m all about the apples! This looks amazing! I can imagine its aroma as it bakes! :)
I adore dense, moist cakes, Mary Ann! I’ve never had Jewish Apple Cake, but clearly that needs to change. This looks incredible~
Oh myyyy, Mare! What a lovely and moist cake! I can see why you’d call it the best. Absolutely scrumptious! Thank you for sharing!
Just made this again for some girlfriends and it was a total hit!!
This is one cake type that I have not tried yet. Although I clearly should – your results are stunning!
It’s fabulous Helena! Loaded with apples and cozy cinnamon flavor.
I found my batter very thick and not like picture…any suggestions
The batter is sort of thick Linda. You just have to make sure you use large eggs and don’t over pack your flour when measuring. Let me know how it turns out. It’s one of my favorites!
I made this cake and felt that I didn’t have enough batter so I made an extra half batch and added it. The cake was delicious! Please can you comment on the beater that you used, as I want to make it again tomorrow.
Hi Cheryl. The batter will rise in the pan. Mine fit perfectly in my tube pan. I mixed everything by hand. No beater needed! Enjoy!